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Thrify Thursday: Vintage Luggage

I LOVE vintage luggage! I have at least eight pieces in my current collection and I always have my eye open for more. I use them in my shop for displays, I use them to store quilts, supplies, and more all over my home. This fun set came to me as a gift all the way from Idaho and like most thrifty finds they were a little dirty and in need of some loving care.


I usually try and keep the integrity of the original piece in tack but in the case of the small travel case I thought it necessary to replace the lining. I would normally replace it with a vintage fabric in a fun pattern but I decided I'd try a little mod podge with old maps. After I removed the old lining and cleaned up the piece I simply tore out familiar sections from different maps of the northwest (seemed suitable since the luggage came from my home in Idaho) and layered them with glue along the bottom and sides of the interior. After everything dried I went back and put a layer of mod podge over all the maps for a nice finish.


I can't be more pleased with how it turned out! I enjoyed the look of the old maps so much that I took one of the larger pieces of luggage that had the silk coming apart in the lid and replaced it with a map collage as well. I now use the matching set as displays for my products at markets and shows.


Thrifty Tip: I have never paid more than $12 for a piece of vintage luggage including my HUGE leather Samsonite that's in great condition. You can find lots of beautiful pieces in antique stores on a regular basis but I recommend sticking to second hand stores and flea markets. It may take a little longer to find what your looking for but its way more fun and gratifying when you find that perfect piece for under $20.

Renegade Craft Fair

On May 21-22nd the Palmer Event Center here in Austin hosted their 2nd annual Renegade Craft Fair. I was one of the lucky 200+ handmade vendors that was selected to participate. I shared a booth with my dear friend Kelly from GemJunkie and enjoyed the company of my fellow Austin Craft Riot teammates including Craft Chi, Baby Bolt, Pommes Frites, Robo Roku, Nepenthes Bathtime and more.

This fall the Renegade circuit is coming back to Austin November 26-27th for their first ever holiday show. Applications open in August and I am hoping again to participate in this amazing event. For more information or to apply check out www.renegadecraft.com. For now enjoy some fun pictures of our booth from Renegade Austin 2011!

Baby Room DIY project...

So a friend gave me these large metal coffee cans and I've been wanting to make some cute storage out of them for my office. With baby coming along I took the opportunity to finally get them done. I think they'll be perfect for all those little necessities like thermometers, lotions, aspirators, etc. It was really easy so I thought I'd share it with everyone.

All you need is a large coffee can, preferably with a lid in this case, a scrap of fabric, glue (Mod Podge), paint brush and scissors.

Cut the fabric to approximate size and use the paint brush to place glue on the can. I recommend starting with a couple inches of glue, center the fabric and work your way around each side until you reach the seam. Once you've got the fabric secure to the can use the paint brush to put an extra layer of Mod Podge on the outside of the fabric to help protect it and adhere it to the can. Its okay to leave rough edges hanging off each side as shown below because its easier to cut them off when dry. Once you have the fabric coated prop it up on something and let it dry.

Once your fabric is dry (approximately 1-2 hours depending on glue and temp) you can use your scissors to cut the excess fabric off the ends and TA DA...your done! Well almost. I usually take a little glue on my finger around the edges once I've cut to help reinforce the fabric along the edge. If you have more than one can you can use coordinating fabrics in different patterns or colors to help distinguish which items are in which can.

My third can didn't have a lid so I used a can opener to cut open the bottom and make a lamp shade. I simply drilled four holes at equal distance along the ridge and added wire to allow it to hang from the ceiling. Then I followed the same steps above.

Whats your favorite baby room DYI project?

Happy 4th of July!

Please enjoy these beautiful photos on this beautiful day!

Happy Fourth of July! by Rachael & Jess

Spirit of Independence by Jim Merk

Fourth of July Cake by Krissy's Creations

Lookin' Forward by Kat Klein

I'm Back! A Little Update on Life...

Well a lot has happened since I stopped writing last August. On top of trying to run a full-time business I started a part-time job at a dog boarding facility in Georgetown, TX. It was a fun experience as I love working with animals of any shape and size. My market business on South Congress picked up drastically after partnering up with Kelly from GemJunkie and in November we found out I was pregnant! After my first big craft show, Austin Craft Riot, the next few months just flew by. I was lucky enough to spend time at home in Idaho where I spread all the good news to my family and friends over Christmas.

After a short break in January I started selling again at the Gibson Street Market on South Congress just in time to get ready for SXSW. After that it was crunch time making lots of new product for my biggest show ever...Renegade Craft Fair, an international craft fair circuit with over 200 handmade vendors. It was an amazing experience. Since Renegade I have left my part-time job at the dog boarding facility and am back to focusing full attention on my shop and getting ready to be a full-time mom. I've had fun putting the finishing touches on the baby room, relaxing in the heat of TX, and making brand new products for my shop (check them out HERE!)

Some of my current obsessions that you can look forward to seeing more of on the blog are woodland creatures great and small; babies and everything cute that comes with them; screen printing (my newest endeavor); anything vintage including bicycles, eye glasses, keys, umbrellas, books, typewriters, birdcages and I've even jumped on board the mustache craze! I look forward to bring you lots of goodies, fun DIY projects, beautiful photos and more. Have a great summer!

Quicky Update

August just flew right by! As you can see I was not very good at keeping my word about staying up to date on the blog. I have however continued to make a few updates as you can see from the widgets on the right. I send updates to Twitter frequently from my phone and if you scroll down you can see I am now on Facebook! You can conveniently click on the link below to "like" R&R Design and get updates about shows, new products and special events. It is a lot easier for me when I am busy to keep Facebook updated so if you want to stay current with all of R&R Design happenings check it out.

I have a ton of pictures and stories to share about my new marketing adventures with Gem Junkie, my thrift store trip to Houston, new bottle cap dog collection at Ponderosa Pet Resort (sneak peak pictures up on Facebook), and more. I also have a couple DIY projects and Etsy finds I've been saving up. I have family visiting this next week so I'll try and get a few things up asap.

Enjoy the rest of your week!